Review - Time for Bed's Story

Time for Bed's Story
by Monica Arnaldo
Date: 2020
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

In this engaging, laugh-out-loud funny picture book, a child's bed tells it like it is. Bed has something to say. Bed knows you do not like bedtime. And Bed gets it. But look ... YOU are not so great, either ... Bed is fed up. Bed's patience is wearing thin. For years, Bed has put up with the kicking at night, the jumping during the day, not to mention the storing of all manner of stinky items. But enough is enough. Now it's time to consider Bed's feelings ... In a story that's never been told before, Monica Arnaldo's hilarious picture book explores the point of view of an unusual narrator: a child's bed. Irreverent and full of personality, Arnaldo's Bed is also full of love and compassion, making for a relatable and, ultimately, endearing story. This playful and highly original book offers a lighthearted way to approach discussions on communication, perspective and viewpoint. It can be used to promote critical thinking in young children and an understanding that there are at least two sides to every story. It also contains character education lessons on compassion, respect and empathy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a strange (yet surprisingly entertaining) picture book, told in the second-person point of view by a bed (yes, a bed) that refers to itself in the third person.

Have you ever wondered what your bed thought of you? Maybe it doesn't like being kicked or drooled on. Maybe it takes it really personally when you say you don't want to go to bed. Maybe... that bed is just waiting for an opportunity to tell you just how it feels.

The story isn't really a story so much as a gimmick, but it's kind of cute, and it works. The illustrations are what sell the book, though. They're colourful, engaging, and portray the feelings of the annoyed bed quite well.

This might make a good bedtime read. I'd also recommend it to readers who enjoy quirky books about anthropomorphized objects.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5